Thomas said: “I am sure they were aware that running this story could help reverse some of the negative press around the Stephen Gately story.

“Whether they have I don’t know [because] some things probably hurt too bad. I said to the writer at the end, if you have children, all I ask if when you read this, if it was your son would you as a mother be proud of it, if it is you’ve done it right – and my mother said she was proud of it. It’s a way of talking to their readers who may have preconceptions and show them my reality and I hope that makes them think.”

Contrary to rumours, he said he had not been forced into coming out of the closet because the media was about to out him.

He said: “I have got no reason to come out. I haven’t got a boyfriend, I’ve got no kids, I’ve not been pressured, I haven’t been caught doing anything… none of that. I’m doing it because I want people to be able to be free to be gay.”

The 35-year-old star, who is the most-capped Welsh player, said in December that since coming out, he had had an “amazing response” from the public.

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